Integrated Beach Umbrella and Table System

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an integrated beach umbrella and table system that includes a support post, wherein an umbrella support frame couples to the support post and is expandable and collapsible about the support post, and an umbrella canopy couples to the umbrella support frame. The system further includes a table surface support frame assembled from a plurality of armature elements that couple to an anchor hub and a central hub, wherein at least one of the anchor hub and the central hub slidably engages to the support post. The anchor hub and the central hub slide to produce a first expanded position and a second collapsed position of a table surface coupled to the table surface support frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This disclosure is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/201,776 filed Jul. 5, 2016; the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to accessories for a beach goer, andrelates more particularly to a portable, compact, and integrated beachumbrella and table system.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor enthusiasts, such as beach goers, enjoy the advantages ofvarious ancillary items to enhance their beach going experience, such asbeach umbrellas, beach towels, pails, shovels, floatation devices,surf-riding instruments, radios, coolers, etc. One item to enhance theirexperience even greater is a portable, compact table, designedspecifically for beach goers so that they may place various items at anelevated position, away from the beach sand's surface. Beach tables,however, are often considered a superfluous item, and because of thenumerous other items a beach goer already must trek to the beach, thebeach goer may decide not to bring the item. Instead, beach goers willmerely place their items on a towel, precariously in the sand, or relyon other items not designed for use as a “table.” For example, beachgoers may rely on a cooler's surface to place items away from the sand'ssurface, but this inhibits the ability to regularly access the cooler,i.e. everything must be removed from atop the

It is an object of the exemplary embodiments described herein todisclose a compact, portable, integrated beach umbrella and table systemthat when in a stowed (collapsed) position, the system is in a compactform to allow for easy storage and/or travel.

It is a further object of the invention to provide for a table systemthat is configured to be integrated with a patio-style type umbrella.Since such umbrellas are used for general use, cook-outs, Bar-b-ques,pool parties, and the like where food and beverages are common place,users may benefit, whether the setting is personal residential, or acommercial restaurant, resort, hotel, etc.

SUMMARY

In general, an exemplary embodiment of an integrated beach umbrella andtable system comprises; a support post, a collapsible umbrella coupledto the support post, and a collapsible table also coupled to the supportpost.

In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated beach umbrella and tablesystem comprises a support post whereon an umbrella support framecouples to the support post and is configured to expand and collapseabout the support post. An umbrella canopy is configured to couple tothe umbrella support frame. The system further comprises a table surfacesupport frame, wherein the table surface support frame comprises aplurality of armature elements that, in one configuration, couple to ananchor hub and a central hub. The anchor hub and the central hub engagesthe support post and couples to at least a portion of the plurality ofarmature elements, wherein at least one or both of the anchor hub andthe central hub slides to produce a first expanded position and a secondcollapsed position of the plurality of armature elements. A tablesurface generally comprises a fabric-type material and couples to thetable surface support frame.

Among exemplary embodiments, the table surface support frame comprises aplurality of armature elements, wherein the plurality of armatureelements comprises; a plurality of first armature elements, and acomplimentary plurality of second armature elements. Each of theplurality of first armature elements comprises a first armature firstend pivotally coupled to the central hub; each of the plurality ofsecond armature elements comprises a second armature first end pivotallycoupled to the anchor hub, and a second armature second end pivotallycouples to a point positioned along a length of its complimentary firstarmature element.

Among the exemplary embodiments, when the table surface support frame isin the first expanded position, a first armature second end of each ofthe plurality of first armature elements is substantially co-planar withthe central hub, and in an exemplary embodiment, couples to a perimeterportion of the table surface.

The various exemplary embodiments may comprise some, all, or none of thefollowing. An embodiment may comprise one end of the support post tocomprise a helical configuration to facilitate auguring the support postinto a surface so as to maintain the support post in a substantiallyupright position. Embodiments may also comprise; a channel that extendslongitudinally along the support post, and a key-type portion thatprotrudes inwardly from an inner diameter of at least one of the anchorhub and the central hub to interface with the channel. The key-typeportion is configured to fit within the channel of the support post toinhibit torsional rotation of at least one of the anchor hub and centralhub about the support post. In some embodiments; each of the pluralityof first armature elements further comprise telescopic portions that areexpandable to accommodate varying sizes of table surfaces, the supportpost may comprise a pivoting mechanism between the collapsible umbrellaand the collapsible table to facilitate tilting the collapsibleumbrella, and/or the collapsible table may be rotatable about thesupport post.

Exemplary embodiments of the system may comprise various noveltyelements. For example, embodiments may comprise the table surface tocomprise various cup holders and storage bins, pockets, sleeves, etc.Moreover, the support post of the system may be separable, wherein thesupport post separates into a support post first section and a supportpost second section. In an embodiment the support post first sectionsupports the umbrella support frame, and the support post second sectionsupports the table surface support frame. In still yet anotherembodiment the system may comprise an electronic device support frame tosupport at least one of a smartphone, tablet, and video display, and inassociation with such device support frame, the umbrella canopy maycomprise solar cell elements to convert sunlight to a useable electricalcurrent, wherein the useable electrical current is transmitted via asuitable conduit to the electronic device support frame to provideelectrical power for the at least one of the smartphone, table, andvideo display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an integrated beach umbrellaand table system in a substantially first expanded position;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the integrated beach umbrellaand table system in a substantially second collapsed position;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a transverse cross-section ofa support post and a central hub depicting an inter-facing key andchannel configuration;

FIG. 4 depicts a top down view of an exemplary embodiment of a tablesurface and armature elements comprising telescopic elements to supporta table surface of a different size;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an integrated beach umbrellaand table system comprising various novelty features; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a method flow chart for a method of manufacturingan exemplary embodiment of an integrated beach umbrella and tablesystem.

A more complete understanding may be derived by referring to thedetailed description and claims when considered in connection with theabove illustrative FIGS. In the FIGS., the same reference numbers referto the same elements and steps throughout the FIGS.

Elements and steps in the FIGS. are illustrated for simplicity andclarity and are not necessarily rendered according to any particularsequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or indifferent order are illustrated in the FIGS. to help to improveunderstanding of exemplary embodiments.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the FIGS. illustrate thegeneral manner of construction, however, descriptions and details ofwell-known features and techniques can be omitted to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring integrated beach umbrella and table systems and their methodsof manufacture. Additionally, elements in the FIGS. are not necessarilydrawn to scale. For example, any illustrative dimensions of elements inthe FIGS. can and may be exaggerated relative to other elements to helpimprove the understanding of embodiments of integrated beach umbrellaand table systems and their methods of manufacture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments described herein may be described in terms offunctional block components and various processing steps. Suchfunctional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware componentsconfigured to perform the specified functions and to achieve variousresults. For example, integrated beach umbrella and table systems mayemploy various frames and/or beach umbrella and table supports and tablesurface components, e.g., tubular structures and/or solid supportelements, hinges, pins, clips, fittings, support posts, canopies,canopy/table fabrics and the like, which may carry out a variety offunctions. In addition, the integrated beach umbrella and table systemsmay be practiced in conjunction with any number of settings, such as forbeach going, general camping, travel, residential/commercial use, etc.

Also, any systems and/or methods described are merely exemplaryapplications for the integrated beach umbrella and table systems, andthe integrated beach umbrella and table systems may employ any number ofconventional techniques for manufacturing, distributing, marketing,packaging, shipping, selling, and the like.

Various exemplary embodiments may be applied to any system or method toproduce any beach umbrella and table system. Turning now to the FIGS.,FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an integrated beach umbrella and table system 100comprising; a support post 101, an umbrella support frame 110 coupled tosupport post 101 and configured to expand and collapse about supportpost 101, and a table surface support frame 120 similarly coupled tosupport post 101 and configured to expand and collapse about supportpost 101. System 100 further comprises; an umbrella canopy 112configured to couple to umbrella support frame 110, and a table surface122 configured to couple to table surface support frame 120.

Among various exemplary embodiments, table surface support frame 120comprises a plurality of armature elements 130 wherein the plurality ofarmature elements 130 comprises a plurality of first armature elements135, and a complimentary plurality of second armature elements 140. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that for mostembodiments, the term “complimentary” defines that, for each of theplurality of first armature elements, there is a corresponding secondarmature element associated with it. It will be further appreciated bythose skilled in the art that while the preferred embodiment disclosedherein describes first and second armature elements suitably coupledtogether to form the table surface support frame, other armatureconfigurations comprising additional or fewer armature configurationsare contemplated by this disclosure. Moreover, while the plurality ofarmature elements disclosed herein are discussed in relation to couplingto an anchor hub and central hub, other coupling configuration may beemployed. For example, armature elements may couple directly to thesupport post; other armature actuation and/or securing mechanisms, suchas levers, pulleys, ropes, tabs, springs, and the like. Those skilled inthe art will further appreciate that while this disclosure describesprimarily an integrated table in conjunction with a beach umbrella, anintegrated table may be employed by any umbrella system, for example,residential or commercial patio-style type umbrellas. Moreover, anintegrated table is not limited to be incorporated solely with variousumbrella systems, but rather may be employed by any support structurecomprising a support post that the collapsible/expandable integratedtable may couple to, for example, portable canopy structures, fenceposts, and any other tubular elements.

Continuing with a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of firstarmature elements 135 comprises a first armature first end 137 thatpivotally couples to a central hub 150. Each of the plurality of secondarmature elements 140 comprises a second armature first end 142 thatpivotally couples to an anchor hub 160, and each of the plurality ofsecond armature elements 140 comprises a second armature second end 144that pivotally couples at a point along a length of its complimentaryfirst armature element 135.

In an exemplary embodiment, anchor hub 160 and central hub 150 engage alower portion of support post 101 and below umbrella support frame 110,and in one embodiment the positioning of the hubs along support post 101may be adjustable so that table surface support frame 120 may beemployed by a user at various table setting heights. At least one orboth of anchor hub 160 and central hub 150 may slidably engage withsupport post 101, wherein either one or both of anchor hub 160 andcentral hub 150 slides to produce a first expanded position, as depictedby FIG. 1, and a second collapsed position, as depicted by FIG. 2, fortable surface 122. In the first expanded position, a first armaturesecond end 139 of each of the plurality of first armature elements 135is substantially co-planar with central hub 150, and in most embodimentscouples proximate or directly to a perimeter portion of table surface122, best seen by reference to FIG. 4. Among some embodiments, system100 may comprise hub stop 255, FIG. 2. Hub stop 255 is affixed at apoint along support post 101 and between central hub 150 and anchor hub160. As either one or both of central hub 150 and/or anchor hub 160 isslid along support post 101 to provide for the first expanded position,hub stop 255 operates as a barrier stop to either hub to preventover-actuation of table surface support frame 120. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that hub stop 255 is strategically positioned uponsupport post 101 to aide in maintaining the first expanded position oftable surface support frame so that any table surface comprises asubstantially planar configuration for operating as a useable tablesurface.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, support post 101 may comprisea tubular element such as that made from aluminum to provide alightweight yet strong central support for system 100, however, anyother material, such as wood, metals, alloys, plastics, composites andthe like may be employed to operate as support post 101. In otherexemplary embodiments, and to provide for a compact nature of system100, i.e. for travel and/or storage, support post 101 may comprise ofvarious sectional portions (not shown) that may be disassembled andsubsequently reassembled. The various sectional components may securetogether to form the assembled support post 101 by any securing/releasemechanism, for example, frictional fits, pins, nested telescopingsections, and the like. In alternative embodiments, and to furtherfacilitate the compact nature of system 100 for travel and/or storage,support post 101 may alternately comprise a collapsible, e.g.,telescopic configuration or a foldable configuration. In a preferredembodiment support post 101 may separate into a support post firstsection and a support post second section, wherein the support postfirst section supports the umbrella support frame and canopy, and thesupport post second section supports the table surface support frame andtable surface. Moreover, any other mechanism and/or method now known ordeveloped in the future that can operate as a support post in a similarmanner as support post 101 and configured to be compact for storageand/or travel, may be used.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with reference to FIG. 3,a support post 301, similar to support post 101, may further comprise achannel that extends longitudinally along at least a portion of supportpost 301. In such an exemplary embodiment, a channel 370 may engage akey-type portion 372 as part of a central hub 350. Such configurationmay be similarly comprised by anchor hub 160, as well as a hub portionassociated with umbrella support frame 110. By the channel 370 engagingkey-type portion 372 of central hub 350 (or 150), anchor hub 160, orthat of umbrella support frame 110, the various hubs may be inhibitedfrom any torsional rotation about support post 301, as well as whenanchor hub 160, central hub 350 or that of umbrella support frame 110slidably engages support post 301 along its length. It should beappreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that a variety ofconfigurations of support post 301 and any of the various hubs may beused to inhibit any torsional rotation of the various hubs about supportpost 301. In another exemplary embodiment, support post 301, instead ofcomprising a female channel portion, may comprise of a male splineelement that runs longitudinally along the length of support post 301,and any of the various hubs may comprise of a female recessed portion toaccept the spline element. In yet another exemplary embodiment, supportpost 301 and any of the various hubs may comprise of more than onechannel/key configuration, for example, two, three, four or anyplurality of channels and keys may be used.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with reference to FIG. 4,each of the plurality of first armature elements 135 may comprise afirst armature telescopic portion 436. In an exemplary embodiment, firstarmature telescopic portion 436 may extend and retract from within eachof the plurality of first armature elements 135, and as such may beconfigurable to couple to table surfaces of varying sizes. For example,and explained briefly above, first armature elements 135 couples viafirst armature second ends 139 to a perimeter portion, such as perimeterportion 480, to table surface 122. However, by extending first armaturetelescopic portions 436, a larger table surface, such as table surface422, may be supported.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, integrated beach umbrellaand table system 100 comprises umbrella canopy 112 and table surface122. Umbrella canopy 112 and table surface 122 may comprise any materialthat may be coupled and/or secured to their respective plurality ofarmature elements and/or support post 101. Umbrella canopy 112 and tablesurface 122 may comprise any variety of materials, either natural orsynthetic.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments and with returnreference to FIG. 1, integrated beach umbrella and table system 100 maycomprise one end 185 of support post 101 to comprise a helicalconfiguration to facilitate auguring support post 101 into a surface tomaintain support post 101 in a substantially upright position. System100 alternately or additionally may comprise support post 101 tocomprise a pivoting mechanism 187 of the type generally known in theart, between the umbrella portion and the table portion so as tofacilitate tilting the umbrella. Moreover, some integrated beachumbrella and table systems may comprise a table that is rotatable aboutsupport post 101. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in theart that other table configurations may be employed. For example,instead of a table that completely surrounds support post 101, a tablethat only encircles a portion of support post 101 may be employed, andtables may comprise of various regular and/or irregular geometricconfigurations, such as square, round, hexagonal, pentagon, etc. Inother embodiments, the plurality of armature elements, rather than beingactuated into the first expanded position by slidable hubs, may compriseof folding/un-folding armature elements, clip-on tabs elements, etc.

In accordance with various exemplar embodiments and with reference toFIG. 5, an integrated beach umbrella and table system 500 may comprisevarious novelty features to accessorize system 500. For example, tablesurface 122, may comprise integrated cup holders, such as cup holder592. Table surface 122 may also comprise various storage elements, suchas storage bin 594. Support post 101, or other parts of the system, maycomprise an electronic device support frame, or similar element, tosupport an electronic device such as a smart phone, tablet, videodisplay, etc., such as depicted by electronic device support frame 596.In one unique feature, umbrella canopy 122 may comprise solar cellelements 597 to convert sunlight to a useable electrical current, andwherein the useable electrical current is transmitted via a suitableconduit to electronic device support frame 596 so as to provideelectrical power for a smartphone, table, video display, etc.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of an integrated beachumbrella and table system and its method of manufacture, and turning nowto FIGS. 6 and 7, an exemplary method 600 for manufacturing a beachumbrella and table system may comprise: providing a support post (605);affixing an umbrella support frame to the support post (610); assemblingan umbrella canopy configured to couple to the umbrella support frame(615); assembling a table surface support frame (620); affixing acentral hub and an anchor hub to the support post wherein at least oneslidably engages the support post (625) and coupling them to at least aportion of the table surface support frame (630), wherein either one orboth of the central hub and the anchor hub slides to produce a firstexpanded position and a second collapsed position of the table surfacesupport frame. Method 600 further comprises providing a table surface(635) configured to couple to the table surface support frame.

The method (620), wherein assembling the table surface support framecomprises; assembling a plurality of armature elements by assembling aplurality of first armature elements (650), and assembling acomplimentary plurality of second armature elements (660).

Assembling the plurality of first armature elements (650) comprisespivotally affixing a first armature first end to the central hub (652),wherein the central hub is affixed proximate a lower portion of thesupport post that is below the umbrella support frame. With reference toFIG. 7, assembling the complimentary plurality of second armatureelements (660) comprises; pivotally affixing a second armature first endto the anchor hub (762), and affixing a second armature second end at apoint along a length of its complimentary first armature element (764).Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the first expandedposition, a first armature second end of each of the plurality of firstarmature elements is substantially co-planar with the central hub.

The method (635), wherein providing the table surface comprises;providing a fabric type material (770), and coupling the first armaturesecond end of each of the plurality of first armature elements to aperimeter portion of the table surface (772).

Among the methods described herein, the methods may further comprise;

forming a channel that extends longitudinally along the support post,and incorporating a key that protrudes inwardly from an inner diameterof the central hub. The key is configured to fit within the channel ofthe support post to inhibit torsional rotation of the central hub aboutthe support post.

Exemplary methods may also comprise assembling each of the plurality offirst armature elements to further comprise assembling a first armaturetelescopic portion that may be expandable to accommodate varying sizesof table surfaces.

The methods of manufacture may also comprise providing one end of thesupport post to comprise a helical configuration to facilitate augeringthe support post into a surface to maintain the support post in asubstantially upright position. The methods of manufacture may compriseproviding the support post to comprise a pivoting mechanism between thecollapsible umbrella and the collapsible table to facilitate tilting thecollapsible umbrella, and some methods may comprise providing thecollapsible table that is rotatable about the support post. The methodsof manufacture may also provide for integrated cup holders, storagebins, electronic device support frames, integrated solar power supplyand distribution elements, and any other relevant accessories now known,developed in the future, or well known to those skilled in the art.

Among the exemplary methods described herein, and although a particularorder of actions is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, these actions can beperformed in other temporal sequences. Moreover, the method actionsdepicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be performed sequentially, concurrently,or simultaneously so as to provide for an integrated beach umbrella andtable system as described herein, for example, the beach umbrella andtable system 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the telescopic armatureelements and table surfaces as shown in FIG. 4, and/or the beachumbrella and table system 500 as shown in FIG. 5.

In the foregoing specification, integrated beach umbrella and tablesystems have been described with reference to specific exemplaryembodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however,without departing from the scope of the integrated beach umbrella andtable system as set forth in the claims. The detailed description andFIGS. are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the various exemplaryembodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the exemplary embodiments shouldbe determined by the claims and their legal equivalents, rather than bymerely the examples described.

For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may beexecuted in any order and are not limited to the specific orderpresented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elementsrecited in any article, system, apparatus and/or device claims may beassembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety ofpermutations and are accordingly not limited to the specificconfiguration recited in the claims.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been describedabove with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit,advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause anyparticular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become morepronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essentialfeatures or components of any or all the claims.

As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”,“having”, “including”, “includes” “is” or any variation thereof, areintended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,method, article, system, device, composition or apparatus that comprisesa list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but mayalso include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to suchprocess, method, article, system, device, composition or apparatus.Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-describedstructures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materialsor components used in the practice of integrated beach umbrella andtable systems, in addition to those not specifically recited, may bevaried or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments,manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operatingrequirements without departing from the general principles of the same.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and thelike in the description and in the claims, if any, are used fordistinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily fordescribing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to beunderstood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriatecircumstances such that the embodiments of integrated beach umbrella andtable systems and their methods of manufacture described herein are, forexample, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustratedor otherwise described herein.

The terms “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “bottom,”“side,” “under,” “over,” and the like in the description and in theclaims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarilyfor describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood thatthe terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstancessuch that the embodiments of integrated beach umbrella and table systemsand their methods of manufacture described herein are, for example,capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated orotherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, isdefined as directly or indirectly connected in a physical, mechanical,electrical, magnetic, or other manner.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible table system comprises: a supportpost; an expandable and collapsible table surface support framecomprising a plurality of armature elements; a central hub engaged tothe support post and coupled to at least a portion of the plurality ofarmature elements; an anchor hub engaged to the support post, below thecentral hub, and coupled to the at least a portion of the plurality ofarmature elements; wherein the central hub and anchor hub are configuredto slide along the support post simultaneously; and wherein the centralhub is further configured to slide toward the anchor hub to produce afirst expanded position of the table surface support frame, and thecentral hub is further configured to slide away from the anchor hub toproduce a second collapsed position of the table surface support frame;and a flexible table surface coupled to the table surface support frameconfigured to enclose at least a portion of the plurality of armatureelements in the collapsed position.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising an expandable and collapsible umbrella support frame coupledto an umbrella support post; and an umbrella canopy coupled to theumbrella support frame, wherein the umbrella support post couples to thesupport post.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality ofarmature elements comprises; a plurality of first armature elements; anda complimentary plurality of second armature elements; wherein each ofthe plurality of first armature elements comprises a first armaturefirst end pivotally coupled to the central hub; wherein each of theplurality of second armature elements comprises a second armature firstend pivotally coupled to the anchor hub; wherein each of the pluralityof second armature elements comprises a second armature second endpivotally coupled at a point along a length of its complimentary firstarmature element.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein in the firstexpanded position, a first armature second end of each of the pluralityof first armature elements is substantially co-planar with the centralhub.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first armature second end ofeach of the plurality of first armature elements couples to a perimeterportion of the flexible table surface.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe flexible table surface further comprises at least one of a cupholder and storage bin.
 7. A method of manufacturing a collapsible tablesystem comprises: providing a support post; providing an expandable andcollapsible table surface support frame comprising a plurality ofarmature elements; providing a central hub engaged to the support postand coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of armature elements;providing an anchor hub engaged to the support post, below the centralhub, and coupling it to the at least a portion of the plurality ofarmature elements; wherein the central hub and anchor hub are configuredto slide along the support post simultaneously; and wherein the centralhub is further configured to slide toward the anchor hub to produce afirst expanded position of the table surface support frame, and thecentral hub is further configured to slide away from the anchor hub toproduce a second collapsed position of the table surface support frame;and providing a flexible table surface and coupling it to the tablesurface support frame, wherein the flexible table surface is configuredto enclose at least a portion of the plurality of armature elements inthe collapsed position.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprisingproviding an expandable and collapsible umbrella support frame coupledto a provided umbrella support post; and coupling an umbrella canopy tothe umbrella support frame, wherein the umbrella support post isconfigured to couple to the support post.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the plurality of armature elements comprises; providing aplurality of first armature elements; and providing a complimentaryplurality of second armature elements; wherein each of the plurality offirst armature elements comprises a first armature first end pivotallycoupled to the central hub; wherein each of the plurality of secondarmature elements comprises a second armature first end pivotallycoupled to the anchor hub; wherein each of the plurality of secondarmature elements comprises a second armature second end pivotallycoupled at a point along a length of its complimentary first armatureelement.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein in the first expandedposition, a first armature second end of each of the plurality of firstarmature elements is substantially co-planar with the central hub. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the first armature second end of each ofthe plurality of first armature elements couples to a perimeter portionof the flexible table surface.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein theflexible table surface further comprises at least one of a cup holderand storage bin.